Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin ng Cycle A, B at C? Year I at I?

Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin ng Cycle A, B at C? Year I at II?
Nagsisimula ang bagong liturgical year ng Simbahan sa unang linggo ng Adbyento. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin ng Cycle A, B at C? Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin ng Year I at II?

Mayroon pong pagkakaayos ang mga Pagbasa sa ating Banal na Misa. Hahatiin sa dalawang grupo ang mga pagbasa:
1. Cycle A,B at C – arrangement para sa Sunday at Festive Days (ie Immaculate Conception, Sts. Peter and Paul, etc.)
2. Year I at II – arrangement para sa Weekdays (Mon-Sat at mga araw na hindi festive days)

Note: This is just a basic and simplified introduction. One may research further.
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A. The Arrangement of the Readings for Sundays and Festive Days

- Kapag Sunday at Festive days, may 3 pagbasa:
a. Unang pagbasa – galing sa Old Testament
b. Ikalawang pagbasa – galing sa isang Apostle (pwedeng isang sulat ng isang apostol, o sa Book of Revelation, o depende kung Advent, Christmas, Lent o Easter)
c. Ikatlong pagbasa – galing sa Gospels

Note: Ang mga pagbasang ito ay makaka-connect na nagpapakita ng unity ng Old at New Testaments at ng kasaysayan ng ating kaligtasan na kung saan si Kristo ang focus.

3. May dalawang principles na ginagamit sa pagpili ng texts.:
a. Principle of Harmony – pagpili ng mga texts na naaayon sa panahon. (ex. kung Advent Season, e di ‘yung may kinalaman sa paghihintay sa Mesiyas; Kung Lenten Season, e di ‘yung may kinalaman sa pagpapasakit ng Panginoon)

b. Principle of Semi-continuous Reading – pagpili ng text na “halos” magkakasunod since wala namang distinctive character ang ordinary days. Usually sa Sundays of Ordinary days ito ginagamit (ex. Kung Chapter 1 ni Matthew this Sunday, e di Chapter 2 naman next Sunday). Maaaring lumagtaw, kasi nga semi-continuous.

4. Cycle A, B at C (ng 3 Sunday and Festive Day Readings)
- Upang magkaroon ng mas mayaman at iba’t-ibang pagbasa ng Banal na Kasulatan, ang 3 mga pagbasa sa Sunday at festive days ay mayroong three-year cycle (Cycle A,B at C). At dahil may cycle, mapapakinggan natin muli ang isang pagbasa sa Sunday (or festive day) matapos pa ang 3 taon!

- Nagsisimula ang isang year cycle sa First Sunday of Advent tuluy-tuloy hanggang sa susunod na civil calendar year.
- Ang Advent ng 2010 hanggang November ng 2011 ay Cycle A
- Ang Advent ng 2011 hanggang November ng 2012 ay Cycle B
- Ang Advent ng 2012 hanggang November ng 2013 ay Cycle C
- Tapos, uulit muli sa Year A.
- TRIVIA: Ginawa ito sa paraang ‘pag kinwenta mo, ang year 1AD ay Cycle A; 2AD ay Cycle B; at 3AD ay Cycle C; and so on and so forth.

- Ang Cycle A ay tinatawag na Year of Matthew.
- Ang Cycle B ay tinatawag na Year of Mark.
- Ang Cycle C ay tinatawag na Year of Luke.

- Bakit? Kasi ang ordinary Sundays ay predomininated ng respective Gospesl na ito. (Kung Cycle A, majority ng Gospel Reading ay galing sa Gospel of Matthew; and so on)

- Q: Teka...ba’t walang Year of John?
- A: Ang Gospel according to Matthew, Mark and Luke ay tinatawag na “Synoptic Gospels” na ang ibig sabihin ay naglalahad sila ng parehong istorya, kadalasan pareho pa ng sequence o pagkakasunud-sunod ng pangyayari, minsan parehong-pareho pa ng pananalita.
- The term “synoptic” comes from the Greek syn, meaning "together", and optic, meaning "seen".
- Tingnan natin ang diagram sa baba:


Ang kulay violet ay ang mga istoryang parehong makikita sa tatlo (Triple tradition)
Ang kulay blue ay ang mga istorya na makikita lamang kina Mt at Lk (at wala nito si Mk)
Ang kulay green, si Mt lang meron nun.
Ang kulay blue green, si Lk lang meron nun.
Ang kulay gray, kay Lk at Mk lang (at wala kay Mt)
Ang kulay red, kay Mk at Mt lang (at wala kay Lk)
Ang kulay brown, si Mk lang meron nun.

Kaya, ang synoptics ay may madaming magkakaparehong storya. Si John naman ay ibang-iba ang istorya sa tatlong ito. Wala syang sariling year kasi scattered sya sa mga Seasons (ie Lent, Advent, etc) at mga festive days. So, ang Synoptic Gospels (Mt, Mk at Lk) may kanya-kanyang year while si John, scattered sa buong cycle!

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B. The Arrangement of the Readings for Weekdays
- Ang mga Pagbasa naman sa weekdays (ordinary Mon to Sat) ay inayos sa paraang may 2 pagbasa:
a. Unang Pagbasa: galing sa Old Testament o kaya mula sa isang Apostle (Letter or from the Book of Revelation), at kung panahon ng Easter galing sa Acts of the Apostles.
b. Ikalawang Pagbasa: galing sa Gospel.

- Ang mga pagbasa sa weekdays ng Lent, Advent, Christmas, at Easter ay same taun-taon. Pero yung Sunday readings nito (as mentioned above) may 3 year cycle.

- Mayroong 34 weeks ang Ordinary Time.

- Ang Gospel Reading ng weekdays ay inuulit taun-taon.

- Ang First Reading naman ay may two-year cycle (kaya mauulit ito every other year).

- Year I is used during odd-numbered years; Year II, during even-numbered years. (Since 2011 is odd number, it is Year I)
- Gumagamit din ng principles of harmony and of semicontinuous reading ang weekday readings.


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CONCLUSION: So, ang 2011 (kasama yung part ng December 2010) ay Cycle A (para sa Sunday at Festive days) at Year I (para sa Weekdays).



Sources:
The Sunday Letionary: Ritual word, Paschal Shape by Fr. Norman Bonneau
General Instructions on the Lectionary
Personal Notes

Filipino Christmas Tradition by Donny Beltran

Filipino Christmas Tradition by Donny Beltran


Simple and traditional yet meaningful ang celebration ng Pasko sa family ng ating kapatid na si Donny Beltran. Ang sabi niya:

CHRIST: "Sa amin pong pamilya/clan hindi namin kinakalimutan ang spiritual essence ng Pasko Who is Christ Himself."

DECORATION: "Pagsapit pa lang ng Nov, may gayak na na palamuti ang bahay pati hardin. Meron din kming Belen na 3 ft. ang taas at Christmas tree."

MUSIC & MASS: "Everyday play kami ng mga traditional Christmas music; simba sa 9-day novena."

EVE: "Sa Dec. 24, merong Noche Buena with the whole clan and even visitors and friends who happen to drop by. May Xchange gift and we offer all our prayer intentions to God giving Him thanks for sending His only Son for humanity."

FOOD & GREETINGS: "Arrays of food are laid on the table for everybody; punta sa mga ninong/ninang, mga relatives para magmano at greet them 'Merry Christmas'.

Ganyan po ka simple, kasaya at makahulugan ang pagdiriwang namin sa araw ng pagsilang ng Nino Hesus. Maligayang Pasko sa lahat!"

Christ the King Audio-Video Presentation

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Bakit December 25 ang Pasko?

BAKIT PO DECEMBER 25 ANG ARAW NG PASKO?

WALANG MAY ALAM
Walang may alam ng exact birthday ng Panginoong Hesus. Ang birthday ni Jesus ay hindi naganap noong 1AD dahil ito ay slightly earlier, sa pagitan ng 2BC at 7BC (Walang 0AD – after ng 1BC, 1AD na agad!). Walang ding binanggit sa Bible, so bakit December 25?

FIRST RECORD
Ang kauna-unahang naitalang petsa na ipinagdiwang ang Pasko nang December 25 ay noong 336AD sa panahon ni Emperador Constantine (ang unang Christian Roman Emperor). Matapos ang ilang taon, idineklara ni Pope Julius I na officially December 25 na ang celebration.

WINTER SOLSTICE AT MGA PAGANONG PAGDIRIWANG
Ang malamang na dahilan sa pagpili ng December 25 ay dahil nagaganap sa December ang Winter Solstice at ginaganap din ng mga pagano ang kanilang mga midwinter festivals na tinatawag na 'Saturnalia' at 'Dies Natalis Solis Invicti'
Ang Winter Solstice ay ang araw na kung saan pinakamaikli ang oras sa pagitan ng sunrise at sunset na nagaganap twing December 21 o 22. Para sa mga pagano, ang ibig sabihin nito ay tapos na ang taglamig at simula na nang tagsibol kaya may pagdiriwang sila sa kadahilanang natalo na ng araw (sun) ang dilim ng winter.

Ang “Saturnalia” naman at ginanap sa pagitan ng December 17 at 23 upang parangalan ang diyos-diyosang si Saturno.

Ang “Dies Natalis Solis Invicti” na ang ibig sabihin naman ay 'birthday of the unconquered sun' ay ginaganap twing December 25 (Akala kasi ng mga Romano ay December 25 ang Winter Solstice nung panahong iyon) at ito ang rin 'birthday' ng Pagan Sun god na si Mithra. Dahil Sun god si Mithra, tinawag na Sunday ang araw na iyon.

PASKO: KRISTYANONG PAGDIRIWANG
Binigyan ng bagong meaning ng mga sinaunang kristyano ang mga nabanggit na festivals ng mga pagano. Para sa mga pagano, they celebrated the Sun god and the 'birthday of the unconquered sun'; Para sa mga Kristyano, we celebrate the birth of the Son of God 'the unconquered Son'! Si Hesus ang nagbigay ng liwanag sa kadiliman na sininisimbolo ng naganap na pagningning ng bituin sa Kanyang sabsaban. Hindi Siya isang meteorological phenomenon lamang tulad ng winter solstice at pagsikat ng araw; Siya ang Anak ng Diyos na nagkatawang-tao para sa atin.

Maaring sabihin ng iba: “Eh gaya-gaya lang naman pala tayo sa mga pagano.” Pero hindi po ‘yun ang punto. Ang punto po ay binago ng Simbahan ang pananaw ng mga pagano noong panahong iyon. Ginamit ng Simbahan ang kinagisnang kaugalian upang ipahayag ang katotohanan at mahikayat ang marami sa Kristyanismo. Iba ang kahulugan ng “nanggaya” sa salitang nag-“adapt”.

ISA PANG DAHILAN KUNG BAKIT DECEMBER 25
Ang March 25 ay sacred day din sa mga pagano, kung kailan naman ipinagdiriwang ang paparating na tagsibol na simbolo ng bagong buhay. Ayon sa tradisyong Katoliko, ito ang araw kung kailan binati ng anghel ang Mahal na Birheng Maria (Annunciation) at siya ay naglihi. Ang Nine months (pagbubuntis ng isang ina) after March 25 ay December 25!

GREGORIAN AT JULIAN CALENDARS
Ang ginagamit nating calendar ngayon ay ang 'Gregorian Calendar' na implemented ni Pope Gregory XIII noong 1582. Bago ito, Julian Calendar (named after Julius Caesar) ang ginamit. Mas accurate ang Gregorian. Ang daming days ng Julian. Nung nagpalit ng calendar, 10 days ang nawala sa Julian kaya from October 4, 1582 jump agad sa October 15, 1582!

Ito ang dahilan kung bakit maraming Orthodox at Coptic Churches ang nagse-celebrate ng Pasko sa January 7 dahil Julian pa din ang gamit nila. Ang Armenian Church naman January 6! Sa ibang bahagi ng UK, ang January 6 ay tinatawag na 'Old Christmas'

SAN AGUSTIN
Si St Augustine ang talagang nagkalat ng tradisyon ng pagdiriwang na ito ng December 25 noong 6th century sa Britain at Western Europe.

CONCLUSION
'Yan ang maikling pagpapaliwanag kung bakit December 25 ang Pasko. Nawa’y nakatulong ito. Hindi na po ganoong mahalaga kung alam natin o hindi ang birthday ng Panginoon. Ang pinakamahalaga ay alam nating Mahal tayo ng Diyos at ibinigay Niya ang Kanyang bugtong na Anak para sa atin sa araw ng Pasko (cf.Jn 3:16).Ang diwa ng Pasko ay pagmamahalan. Kung tayo ay nagmamahal, araw-araw ay Pasko. Kung tayo ay nagmamahal, balewala na ang panahon, o petsa o oras sapagkat ang pagmamahal ay walang hanggan.

Bakit Ka Nga Ba Nag-Sakristan?

"Bakit Ka Nga Ba Nag-Sakristan?"
Bro. Mark Philipp Mencias, RN

June 10, 1995, Saturday, 5:00 PM, my schoolmates dragged me to San Roque Parish Church for some unknown recruitment. They said that joining this "so-called" group will make me famous. I really had no idea why on earth was I sitting there wating for my turn to be "PROCESSED". Actually, I never dreamed of becoming an altar server. However, back then, becoming an acolyte was more than a privilege. It was a stage, a form of leverage to catapult oneself to stardom. The title "sacristan" entailed prestige amongst my peers. Though I was hesitant, I still gave it a shot to join the dashing and swash-buckling "Knights of the Altar". I was not expecting that I will pass the interview part nor was I hopeful but for some strange luck I passed and was admitted. Though dubious about my length of stay in the organization, I never expected that it will leave its imprint on me.


To be honest, I was never a big fan of our alb and surplice. I despise the fact that I am supposed to wear those vestments in front of people and pretend that I am a "good boy" because in reality I was never a good boy. I often broke rules and caused mayhem when I was a junior member. I spent hours playing counter strike in our computer shop and I never took Bible sharing seriously during our meetings. Although I was a bit of an anti-social, my older brothers in the ministry never lost hope that I will someday change. I never sought for our officers attention, but they never forgot to share some "thoughts of wisdom" like "Napakakulit mo Mencias! Ang sarap mong kutusan ng maraming beses sa noo!" or "Parati ka na lang hindi pwede mag-serve, e nakikita kitang naglalaro lang ng computer!" However, they never lost hope that I will someday change. And they were wrong to hope at all. I remained "makulit" and "pasaway" until one day an older brother told me, "Ok ka naman Mencias. Makulit ka lang talaga tsaka madalas ayaw mong sumunod. Gusto mo lang talagang maging masaya at kakaiba ang stay mo dito sa KOA. Pero hindi naman yun yung dahilan kung bakit nandito ka pa rin di ba? Kasi kung ayaw mo talaga dito [at maging sakristan], matagal ka ng umalis? Bakit ka nga ba nag-sakristan?" That really struck a nerve in me.

"Bakit ka nga ba nag-sakristan? Bakit mo gustong mag-sakristan?" This were the same questions that most aspiring altar servers have to answer in their interview. Surprisingly, these same questions are what altar servers should frequently ask themselves. Questions which have no definite answer unless one allows time to make him realize the value of becoming an altar server.



Becoming an altar server are more than prestige and privilege. It is a process of change by allowing an invisible hand to mold you to the person God wants you to be. Take the story of the apostle Matthew as an example. He was despised because he was a wretched tax collector. However, he simply listened to Jesus and allowed his master to renew him to become his disciple. In the process he became a witness to Christ's greatness as an evangelist. Or even Paul who was a murderer and persecutor of Christians until he got his ass kicked so hard that he saw a vision of the Lord on his way to Damascus. The succeeding events resulted to his conversion and he utterly became an apostle to the Gentiles. The same premise can be assumed for the process of change for altar servers. God draws to Him even the most sinful and hated people so that He can change them into His likeness. However, one must humble himself to accept his own short-comings and flaws in order for change to set in. Also, a listening ear will help in acquiring good attitudes and retaining them. Furthermore, one must unlearn the bad attitudes, learn good ones and try to relearn them so that the good attitudes remain intact. Moreover, we must be patient that change for the better takes some time. We cannot change ourselves nor other people in a blink of an eye. It is a process so have the patience to persevere even if it seems that there was very little change that transpired. The fruits of our labor will soon manifest as long as we keep on trying our best.


I realized that I was drawn to the idea of allowing myself to be renewed. I know for a fact that I was a mischievous kid and was very aware of it but I never wanted to carry that attitude as I grow up. I didn't knew exactly what to do to rid myself off of my mischievousness so I simply allowed God to change me. Some changes were terribly difficult and some were very easy. Nonetheless, I think I changed a lot.


So, 14 years after that question was asked of me, I think I already have an answer. I think I will say "Para tumino at magbago ako sa tulong ni Bro!" It sounds ridiculous but as I have said it is a process. It takes time to change. I want to become a good person than I was the day before yesterday and I am more than willing to surrender myself to God to be molded into a human being worthy before Him.



Source: http://home.catholicweb.com/moas-srcp/index.cfm/NewsItem?ID=279845&From=About

Note:
Reposted through the permission of Mark Journel Quero, administrator of the website of
San Roque Cathedral - Ministry of Altar Servers
Diocese of Caloocan

AFCC Book Club: The Child, The Wishes, and the Wonder

AFCC Book Club: The Child, The Wishes, and the Wonder

shared by Maria Theresa Orap- Cabezon

Title: THE CHILD, THE WISHES, and THE WONDER
Author: Rev. Fr. Joel R. Eslabra
# of pages: 42 pages
Genre: inspirational
Review:
"...unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of God." Mattew 18:3
This little book (about 14x14 cm), is a collection of true short stories and reflections about the world as seen by children. As adults, we usually fail to listen carefully to what our children are saying and miss the true wisdom from their words. I find this book as a calling for us to be like these children who only have full of trusts, truthfulness and candidness, innocence and goodness in their hearts, which God wants us to be.

Best for ages 10 and above

AFCC Book Club: Tuesdays with Morrie

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE by Mitch Albom

Book Review by Arlene Ariston

A personal favorite, a kind of book that you would want to read and re-read because long after you have read it, it stays with you and the lessons learned are what you will treasure...arlene

I recommend this book for young adults. Here's a brief description of the book:

"Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it.

For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago.

Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded, and the world seemed colder. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you, receive wisdom for your busy life today the way you once did when you were younger?

Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final "class": lessons in how to live."

Back when I was confined at the hospital a year ago, I read it again, rekindling that precious feeling of having found a friend, a mentor who understood what you went through and stood by you. My surgical oncologist saw me reading it and commented, "I love that book". I love it too so I gave a copy to my cardiologist, one of my angels at the time I was undergoing some dark moments in my life! Here are some quotes from the book that I really like:

#1

“"The truth is . . . once you learn how to die, you learn how to live."”

Morrie Schwartz
#2

“"Build a little community of those you love and who love you."”

Morrie Schwartz
#3

“"Do the kinds of things that come from the heart."”

Morrie Schwartz
#4

“"Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else, something hurts you, yet you Know it shouldn't, you take certain things for grated, even when you know you should never take anything for granted...."”

Morrie Schwartz
#5

“"Accept what you are able to do and what you are not able to do, accept the past as past, without denying it or discarding it, learn to forgive yourself and forgive others, don't assume that it's too late to get involved."”

Morrie Schwartz
#6

“"Dying is only one thing to be sad over, Mitch. Living unhappily is something else."”

Morrie Schwartz
#7

“"These were people so hungry for love they were accepting substitutes. They were embracing material things and expecting a sort of hug back. But it never works."”

Morrie Schwartz
#8

“"If you're trying to show off for people at the top, forget it. They will look down at you anyhow. And if you're trying to show off for people at the bottom, forget it. They will only envy you. Status will get you nowhere."”

Morrie Schwartz
#9

“"Take my condition. The things I am supposed to be embarrassed about now — not being able to walk, not being able to wipe my ass, waking up some mornings wanting to cry — there is nothing innately embarrassing about them. It's the same for women not being thin enough, or men not being rich enough. It's just what our culture would have you believe. Don't believe it."”

Morrie Schwartz

Finally Home by Arlene Abuel-Ariston

FINALLY HOME
By Arlene Abuel-Ariston (philstar.com) Updated March 09, 2010 09:43 AM
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Arlene Abuel-Ariston, 53, is a retired bank employee.
Follow her in her blogs at:
http://arlene1956.wordpress.com/
http://arlene1027.wordpress.com/

Powered by website analytics technology.

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Twenty years. A heartbeat. A lifetime.
And the years in between were a bit hazy, but full of memories that a whole family would treasure, relish and think about. It was in March 1987 that my husband ventured out of the country to work as an interior designer/estimator in an architectural firm in Saihat, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Back then, they were known as OCW (overseas contract workers) not as OFW as they are called nowadays.

We were about seven years into the marriage, with two kids, a girl of five and a boy of three. You might say, they were a bit too young to be left behind without the guidance of a father, and they were still too young too to understand why he has to go and seek greener pastures. Days before that — months actually — we were both deliberating if he would accept the job offer or not. We both had good jobs and can afford to hire two helpers to take care of our children without one of us leaving for a job abroad. But thinking of the future of our children prompted us to make that sudden leap and allowed us to rationalize that it was the best way we could save and plan. Didn’t we call it, the Kingdom of Dreams?


The first two years were the hardest. We survived on weekly letters and occasional overseas calls. Our two kids learned to use a cassette tape recorder so we could record what they had to say. It was more of the “I love you, Papa.” “we miss you Papa” or “ingat po Papa” and several doodles and drawings inserted in bulky letters. They were years of learning how to cope with and be strong in times of crisis, and how to be more loving to our two kids — with me playing the role of both father and mother aside of course from the pressure of a nine-to-five job. Faced with a situation like this, which I am sure most Filipinos with family members abroad experienced too, I was proud that we survived the more than twenty years of separation with just only two or three months of my husband’s vacations in between contracts, which was every eighteen months.

There were times when you feel like giving up. There were times when I end up crying in a corner, feeling helpless with a situation that does not have to be there. But you have to face the situation alone because your partner was 4,600 miles afar. Yet the dreams egg you on to endure and have enough faith in each other.

There were times when just hearing each other’s voice was enough to last for a few months, for a year at most. Back then, cell phones were unheard of, and the Internet was just starting to pick up. Lucky are those who now have access to modern communications to get through a life of being incomplete as a family.

Twenty years. A lot of things happened in those twenty long years of being apart. But I am proud to say that both our two kids grew up to be responsible individuals. They were both consistent honor students. My daughter graduated Magna Cum Laude, AB Communication Arts from UST in 2003, and she is now working as an Assistant Manager in the oldest bank in our country. My son has a degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from the same university. I accepted an optional retirement offer ten years ago and spent my time watching the kids grow up.

Finally, my husband went home for good on December 17, 2008. It was a major decision for all of us. Finally, we are now complete as a family. June of last year, however, I was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer and underwent surgery on July 18, 2009 at the Chinese General Hospital under the care of Dr. Samuel Ang. I have completed six cycles of chemotherapy at the Benavidez Cancer Institute in UST last December.

And all those times that I was having my treatment, I felt God’s hands. It would have been more difficult for us to cope if my husband was not around. He was my caregiver, my driver, my companion at the hospital while I was having my treatment. God is so good to allow us to share the pain of undergoing these lifetime changes. God is so good to allow us to be together again after all these years of being apart from each other. God is so good to make us realize that one’s family after all is surely a safe anchor for every trials and tribulations in our lives.


Source: http://www.philstar.com/community/Article201005.aspx?articleId=556377&publicationSubCategoryId=503

Amazing Grace: Fe Baguio's Life Story

AMAZING GRACE: FE BAGUIO'S STORY

Provided by website-hit-counters.com site.

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Hello po sa lahat,I'm Fe Baguio glad to be a member of AFCC because of my friend JOAN.Since our intentions is to manifest our faith on how GOD LEADS US INTO his glory i just want to share my EXPERIENCE OF LIFE...

I have realized,since childhood,GOD HAS NEVER LEFT ME. Although I have never received the sacrament of Baptism,as a child,I had a natural inclination to search for GOD.In my search, i joined prayer meetings and spent time in the church.At times when my parents searched for me, they found me in Church.

I had faith in GOD, but I didn't have much knowledge of Him. As i grow older,I began to experience all kinds of trials. My problems increased to the point that I started blaming GOD. I SAID,"WHY ME,IF I AM A GOOD DAUGHTER?" I experienced a time of long and painful agony.Then,one day, i found a BIBLE that someone had tried to burn and began reading it. The WORD OF GOD made me see my mistakes.I cried and ask forgiveness for blaming GOD.I gave thanks to him for the gift of my life and I said that I wanted to serve HIM using the gifts HE has given.NOT just a listener, but a doer of HIS WORD.

AFTER SOME TIME, I AGAIN GOT INTO SIN AND MISERY BY CONSENTING TO LIVE WITH MY BOYFRIEND WITHOUT THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY.WE HAD CHILDREN,BUT OUR FAMILY GOT INTO ALL KINDS OF DIFFICULTIES.I began to hate those who looked down on me.

When I came to Hongkong,GOD blessed me with a good employer who adviced me to go out on my day off with a lady whom she recommended for a good behavior.I went with her to a prayer meeting where they were sharing the gospel.I was surprised at their way of sharing the Gospel,it was so simple and enlightening.Through sincerely savouring the Word of God, I could see how GOD was working in thier lives.I heard them mentioning the five ideals:
1. TO READ MEDITATE AND SAVOUR THE HOLY GOSPEL EVERYDAY
2. TO IMITATE CHRIST
3. TO LIVE IN POOR MEANS
4. TO DO PROFOUND AND PROLONGED PRAYER
5. TO DO APOSTOLATE

Each ideals had a very good connection to thier lives acting as a bridge to bring them closer to GOD. I was invited to receive the five days of light seminar.I cried of joy,thanking GOD for calling me again and for the oppurtunity to change my life,to deepen my faith,and to realize HIS unwavering love for me.I was touched by the gospel verse john 15:16

"YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, I CHOSE YOU,AND APPOINTED YOU TO GO AND BEAR MUCH FRUIT,THE FRUIT THAT ENDURES.AND SO THE FATHER WILL GIVE YOU WHATEVER YOU ASK OF HIS NAME."

I thought this is a call for me to stand firm and a chance to be a good preacher.I have learned to embrace the teachings of JESUS and how to live these teachings by practicing the five ideals.These have helped me to be a good christian and grow closer to GOD.He has rearranged my lifein a way that i can bear fruit, and someday,be a light to others,if even in a simple way.

Last year, I was invited to attend the adult catechism and I am so blessed to receive the sacrament of Baptism. It was a great joy that there were 4 priests who witnessed my baptism and i really felt and understood the meaning of Baptism. Ang sarap ng feeling talaga; I cried with joy. AND after a couple of weeks, I received my confirmation; and after 3 weeks I received the sacrament of Matrimony...Through my prayers and the prayers of my friends and the 3rd category of the little brethren of Mary whose always there,I feel that GOD IS HELPING ME WALK IN HIS WAY!!!

THANK U PO FOR THE OPPURTUNITY....GOD BLESS US!!!